A prison scheme that gets inmates interested in education through sport has won a prestigious national award.

The physical education department at the high security Frankland Jail, on the outskirts of Durham City, is one of the region's organisations to receive the coveted Charter Mark for quality service.

The jail's nine PE officers have developed a programme to encourage prisoners, many of whom lack basic skills, to exercise their minds and not their muscles when they visit the gym.

The scheme, which has run for 18 months, has led to increased use of the gym, and to some inmates gaining key skills qualifications.

The aim is to give the prisoners skills to allow them to find employment on their release, which could cut re-offending rates.

Principal PE officer Gary Hassan said: "Over the years we have learned to use the popularity of the gym as a way to educate prisoners. We have had to look away from the traditional ways of teaching as many people are not interested."

The scheme gets prisoners to develop skills such as reading and writing, mathematics, communication and leadership through gym activities.

For example, mathematics can be developed by making calculations connected with weightlifting or by counting the number of balls in an over of cricket.

Last the year Frankland's drug recovery unit, which aims to break the link between drugs and crime, won a Charter Mark.

The prison's governor, Ivor Woods, said: "The Charter Mark is a tribute to the hard work and high quality service provided by our staff."

Among other North-East winners are: Stockton-on-Tees Register Office, the breast cancer team at Darlington Memorial and Bishop Auckland General hospitals, Wardley Primary School in Gateshead, the benefits Agency in Newcastle, Sedgefield Borough Council's Fit for Life programme, Darlington Borough Council's leisure services department, South Tees Acute Hospitals Trust's gynaecology in-patients and out-patients department and radiotherapy and oncology out-patients department, Darlington College of Technology, Carmel RC Technology College, Darlington, the Three Rivers Housing Group, County Durham Care's day services for disabled services and supported housing for people with learning disabilities, and Darlington Memorial Hospital's ENT/ head and neck surgery department.

Examples in North Yorkshire include the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in York, which offers free energy information on how to make the home warmer, healthier and cheaper to run.

Another went to North York Moors National Park Authority, which provides opportunities for under-represented groups to participate in and enjoy the National Park, the student support section of North Yorkshire County Council's continuing education unit; the Meat Hygiene Service in York, Threshfield Primary School in Skipton and York County Court.